Escape From LA was released on 9 August 1996 to the sound of disappointed fans everywhere. But I love it!
People wanted another Escape From New York. And I get that. True, I don’t like it nearly as much as most people. It is probably John Carpenter’s most overrated film. I fear people like it because of its vaguely reactionary 1980s politics. And, of course, Snake Plissken who comes off as a slightly more complicated John Rambo. But people like that.
But most people miss the fact that New York is a supremely silly film. The filmmakers didn’t miss this, though! So when they made a sequel, they grabbed hold of that silliness and rode it to the finish line!
Audiences liked the pretense, though. And Escape From LA comes off more as a parody than a sequel. But I think that shows that audiences didn’t really understand the first film. Not that it matters. No one needs to see films as I do. And, in fact, they don’t!
Critic reviews are notably better than audience reviews. The critics are generally more open to the ridiculousness of the whole thing. But there are a lot of audience reviews that totally get it and embrace it. And I think after nearly 30 years, people are in a better place to like it. Over time, it is easier to meet a film where it’s at rather than where you think it should be.
But I think the two films work great as a double feature. Enjoy Escape From New York. Then watch Escape From LA to clarify what you just watched.
You can watch Escape From New York on OK.RU. And here is a so-so print of Escape From LA on Archive. But for now, watch this good print on YouTube (embedding is not allowed).
Escape From LA poster via Wikipedia under Fair Use.
